The director of the federal Native education system made an unannounced visit to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (April 18) after worsening conditions at Havasupai Elementary School exploded into a legal setback, a mass teacher exodus and the first hints of pressure from elected officials.

In a cross-country trip to the remote tribal community, Tony Dearman and top Bureau of Indian Education officials met with the tiny Havasupai Tribe’s council and school board.